Avon Grove band wins Battle of the Bands'

Members of all the band members who competed in the first Battle of the Bands at the Kennett Flash over the weekend.

A band called the Dream Catchers, a trio from the Avon Grove area, beat out seven other local bands in “Battle of the Bands” held earlier this month at the Kennett Flash.

“It was incredible,” said Lee Zagorski, executive director of the Flash. “This is what the Flash is all about. It exceeded my expectations.”

Bands mostly from southern Chester County – especially Unionville and Kennett Square – competed, but some came from as far away as Phoenixville, Spring Ford and Delaware. It was open only to those age 21 and younger.

“Everyone was very supportive of all the bands,” Zagorski said. “Usually, people come to see their band and leave, but nobody left. We had a packed house Saturday.”

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Zagorski said the event was so successful, it will now be an annual event.

Runner up band was The Young and the band Skugg was second runner up. Other bands were The Absolute Sky, The Floats, Lower the Standard, Matt and Marissa, Vinyl Artifacts and 3 for 5.

Ryan Dowdall, a graduate of Avon Grove High School, was on guitar and lead vocals for overall winner “Dream Catchers,” which played 70-era music. He was accompanied by his brother Kevin Dowdall on drums and BenBerdulay of Oxford on bass.

The band won a $1,000 recording session and an open party at The Flash for friends and family. “The Young” received an invite for an interview on WVUD, and Skugg earned an interview on WCHE. All participants received a video and slide pictorial of their performance.

“The staff was incredible, the judges were incredible, the bands had talent and I was really pleased,” Zagorski said.

Zagorski said the bands were so good, the judges had a tough time making selections. He said the judges gave tips to band members as well.

Liam Warren, a Kennett High graduate, was lead vocalist for the third-place band Skugg.

The band 3 for 5 also had a number of band members from the Kennett area, including bassist Jason Kim.